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Just as bad weather hit the north-west the night before, the home side blew Manchester United aside at the Etihad. It was a convincing three goal triumph for the City coach's side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they consolidated their position at the top of the table.

Successive Setbacks for Manchester United

This outcome represented successive league losses for Skinner's side for the maiden instance since last May, leaving them a significant margin off the top team with their championship aspirations hanging by a thread.

The Red Devils' capacity to manage league and European football with a limited roster has been a frequently analyzed subject since they secured entry to the Champions League. Reviewing the fixture list, it always felt like this was the week that would fully examine this capability. Sadly for the away side, they seemed fatigued from start to finish, the landmark win against the French side clearly having taken a toll.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had tried to freshen things up with a several changes. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all brought vigor, although the exclusion of the on-form Melvine Malard to the bench was questioned.

City, in opposition, have no similar fitness issues. Jeglertz made one adjustment from their most recent win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her first start since recovering from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to build for Skinner and his squad from the opening minute. This was a show of the quality from City whose dynamic forward line manipulated and tore United open with a superb initial 45 minutes performance that saw them score three goals in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team in a commanding position and saw the visitors struggling. Prior to this encounter, the away side had allowed just few in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the wake of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The omens came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her power to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything early on, taking advantage of the space left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had several sorties forward, their direct style giving them options in the wide areas but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, controlled the ball, taunting their opposition and trying to draw them out of their structure.

Scoring Spree

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the far post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the term.

They increased their cushion with an additional two goals just before the half-time. When Rose was permitted to maraud through the center from defense, the play opened up for City. The influential Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right side before sending a precise driven ball for Bunny Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a swift shift in possession saw Lauren Hemp given the opportunity to fire a effort home from range.

After the Break

The clearest adjustment came from the United manager at the break as Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the game. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, hitting the woodwork, but the visitors were creatively abject and were unable to produce a one shot on goal.

The home side, in contrast, could have increased their lead when a delightful Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it mattered little to the hosts. Having failed to defeat any opponent who placed above them last season, the manager's side now have successes against the Gunners and Manchester United to put them in a commanding standing after nine games.